Post-bac Pre-Req questions

[jeannepop]

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This is my first posting. I'm one of those non-traditional 33 YO, with MBA in Marketing, BS in management, who wants to go to med school. I've enrolled in 1 pre-med class at Hunter College, NY Spring '03. Classes start next week, and I might be making some class changes so please see if you can help me with some questions.

1. Does it really matter what post-bac program I go to?
I want to go to a CUNY b/c that's all I can afford. CUNY College in Harlem - has a kick ass program, but the location is tough for travel. I could take course at Queens College, with easier travel for me, no formal post-bac program, but part of SUNY. I'm not sure how I feel about Hunter, but it's much easier to get to.

2. Hunter only offers BIO 2 Spring '03 (not BIO 1). I took Gen Bio 2 in 1992 at a Community college, so Hunter will let me enroll in BIO 2. What are your thoughts on taking BIO 2, and skipping BIO 1, maybe taking BIO 1 or something else in Fall?

3. Part-time night classes are so hard to coordinate/they overlap. What are your thoughts about taking BIO at 1 school, Chem at another (both CUNY schools)?

4. Is is feasible for me to take pre-req's and complete by April '04? 2 classes Spring '03, 2 classes Summer '03, 2 classes Fall '03 (inc Organic 1), and 2 Spring '04 (inc Organic 2), and continue to work, and take MCATS' April '04 and still get stellar grades without going off the deep end? Would I have to go full time to do this?

5. And that being said, is there anyway possible to skip that "lag" year so that I could get into Med School by Fall '04? City College (CUNY) has a linkage program that allows students to skip lag year, but all classes and MCATs must be completed by Spring '04, and apps out right after that. The pre-med advisor told me not to try this, that it's a nearly impossible feat. What are your thoughts? If this is true, does it make sense for me to just take my time with this?

Thanks and apologeeze for so many q's. 🙂 j

 

[cabruen]

As one of the over 30 pre-meds here, I'll try to help you out as much as I can. I will answer your questions below, but also feel free to PM me, and I would be happy to help you more offline.

Overall, the most important thing to remember is this. If you are planning on changing careers into medicine because it is a calling...it doesn't matter whether it takes an extra year or not. Hold fast to your goals, pursue it with the full force of your passion and drive.

Originally posted by jeannepop
This is my first posting. I'm one of those non-traditional 33 YO, with MBA in Marketing, BS in management, who wants to go to med school. I've enrolled in 1 pre-med class at Hunter College, NY Spring '03. Classes start next week, and I might be making some class changes so please see if you can help me with some questions.

1. Does it really matter what post-bac program I go to?
I want to go to a CUNY b/c that's all I can afford. CUNY College in Harlem - has a kick ass program, but the location is tough for travel. I could take course at Queens College, with easier travel for me, no formal post-bac program, but part of SUNY. I'm not sure how I feel about Hunter, but it's much easier to get to.

I personally don't feel that the post-bacc program matters that much. In fact, I believe that you don't even need an official post-bacc program. Simply take the regular college classes. That is what I did. I would pick the college that has a good reputation, is convienent for the rest of your life, and is receptive to helping you schedule your courses. Queens college is excellent, and would seem to be an obvious good choice to me.

Originally posted by jeannepop
2. Hunter only offers BIO 2 Spring '03 (not BIO 1). I took Gen Bio 2 in 1992 at a Community college, so Hunter will let me enroll in BIO 2. What are your thoughts on taking BIO 2, and skipping BIO 1, maybe taking BIO 1 or something else in Fall?

I think there is nothing wrong with taking classes out of sequence. This is what I did. I took the chemistry classes in the following order.

Organic Chem 2 -> Organic Chem 1 -> Gen Chem 2 -> Gen Chem 1

The exact opposite of the usual way! It certainly can be done. Also did a similar thing with the biology courses. Make sure your college will let you do this. I specifically went to a private college because they would let me do this. Their quote was "As long as your check clears, we don't care what classes you take" The public college here in Dallas was giving me a hard time about it, so that is why I chose SMU.

Originally posted by jeannepop
3. Part-time night classes are so hard to coordinate/they overlap. What are your thoughts about taking BIO at 1 school, Chem at another (both CUNY schools)?

I would try to limit your post-bacc classes to one school. When it comes to application time, you will have to coordinate transcripts to be delivered and the more schools you have to handle the more expensive and hassle this will be. More importantly, if you take several classes at one school they will get to know you, and this could come in handy when asking for LORs. Lastly, the schools coordinate which material is taught in each term, something that can't be gauranteed acroos colleges.

Originally posted by jeannepop
4. Is is feasible for me to take pre-req's and complete by April '04? 2 classes Spring '03, 2 classes Summer '03, 2 classes Fall '03 (inc Organic 1), and 2 Spring '04 (inc Organic 2), and continue to work, and take MCATS' April '04 and still get stellar grades without going off the deep end? Would I have to go full time to do this?

If those are the classes, and you can handle the workload it is certainly possible. If you are complete with pre-reqs and MCAT in April 2004, you will be applying for the class that starts in Fall 2005 (Class of 2009, 2010 is when you will graduate).

Two caveats. First, is that it is imperative that you do well in your post-bacc classes. You must get A's, so take fewer classes and stretch the time frame longer if you think that is necessary to accomplish this.

But again, don't focus on the dates. Focus on your goal.

Originally posted by jeannepop
5. And that being said, is there anyway possible to skip that "lag" year so that I could get into Med School by Fall '04? City College (CUNY) has a linkage program that allows students to skip lag year, but all classes and MCATs must be completed by Spring '04, and apps out right after that. The pre-med advisor told me not to try this, that it's a nearly impossible feat. What are your thoughts? If this is true, does it make sense for me to just take my time with this?

Thanks and apologeeze for so many q's. 🙂 j

Obviously, I nothing specific about the linkage program, but it certainly seems worth exploring. Remember, there are three things that the schools are examing applicants for.

1. Can you handle the work of medical school and being a doctor
2. Why do you want to do the work
3, Do you know what the work is

The lag year does give you the time to explore the hospital through volunteering and other venues. Do not consider it a waste of time.


In summary---- GO FOR IT and BEST OF LUCK

 

[beanbean]

Hi. I am a post-bac student at UCONN. Last year I took classes informally on my own and this year I am in the formal program. The advantages of a formal program vary depending on the school and the program. UCONN's post-bac students have an advisor at the university as well as the medical school and have opportunities to set up volunteer/shadowing experiences at the medical school. In addition, we are able to talk with former post-bac students who are now MS1 and MS2 at UCONN. The actual classes are taken at the main UCONN campus with undergrad, grad and continuing studies students.

I would advise you to take your time and not rush through the application process. In general, coursework at a 4 year university or college is preferred to taking classes at a community college. However, if community college is the most convienent and affordable option for you, don't worry about it (just be sure to get 'A's). If your undergrad and MBA grades are good there is less of a need to "prove yourself" as a post bac.

Remember that you will need some type of shadowing or volunteer experience in the medical field. It is very important as a post-bac, non-traditional applicant to show that you have made a knowledgable, informed decision to pursue medicine and change your profession.

Finally, don't rush the MCAT. Make sure you are comfortable with the various subjects tested even if you haven't completed all your pre-reqs yet. A good MCAT score is a big piece of the admission's pie. Give yourself time to prepare for it (as in 3 months). It is not an exam that lends itself to a quick refresher of the material. There are of course people who take it with no review and do just fine, however, they are a small minority. Don't fear the test, just make sure you prepare for it.

Best of luck to you. There are several post-bac students I know who have business/marketing/finance backgrounds and they are doing very well.

 

[Iron Horse]

Try doing a search as there have been multiple threads on this general topic. I did a post-bacc program I loved and am enjoying my first year of med school. Feel free to pm me if you like.

Good luck.

 

[jeannepop]

Thanks all for your feedback. I'm enrolled at Queens College, NY. Only taking 1 class, BIO2 (yes, I'm going out of order.) I sat thru the Chem 1 classes. but had decided not to take Chem 1 because I'm concerned that I might be taking on too much and I don't want this to affect my grades. I have a potential new job waiting for me (I still have to pay the mortgage and have no other support but myself.)

I figured I'd take this in baby steps first to get my feet wet to see if this is really for me. It's very difficult since my parents are dead set against it. That's why I'm looking for advice/insight from people like you who are in this.

Here's a followup questions:

Being that I'm in BIO 2, do you know if I need to complete all the pre-reqs before even applying to Med School? I am considerring taking the MCATS April 2004. And applying to Med School June 2004, for admission Fall 2005. I won't be completed with my preq's by June 2004.

Thanks again.

 

[malusport]

Hi,

How are you? I wanted to take night classes for pre med. Does hunter college offers all pre reqs at night? How about queens?

let me know.

thanks